Medical Myths That Can Kill You: And the 101 Truths That Will Save, Extend, and Improve Your Life

by Nancy L. Snyderman

Book Overview

In her trademark practical and straightforward way, Dr. Snyderman, chief medical editor for NBC News, reveals the truths behind unscientific, undocumented, and dangerous medical myths. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 030740613X
• ISBN13: 9780307406132
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 273 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A Nice Self-Care Primer

Friendly in tone, open and self-disclosing, informative, lucent - a great self-care primer, accessible reference book. Format-wise: two books in one: you can browse through "truths" and "news you can use," or you can read through the "medical myths" chapters. Great informational value. Pavel Somov, Ph.D., author of "Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time" (New Harbinger, 2008) [...]

Healthy and entertaining audiobook

Medical Myths That Can Kill You makes for great non fiction listening. The material in this book is as engaging as the title. Who doesn't want to hear about medical misinformation that could kill you? I really feel healthier and safer after listening to this audiobook. Author and narrator Nancy L. Snyderman, MD does a great job presenting the material. The audiobook format works well, since Snyderman has lots of experience in front of the camera on NBC Nightly News, the Today show and MSNBC. Her vocal performance is excellent and it was a wise choice to have her narrate her own book. Snyderman presents the material in succinct, well informed segments that work well on CD. The information is very interesting, like a great news segment, which makes listening enjoyable and informative. Health conscious audiobook listeners won't be disappointed.

A scientist speaks

The probability that a "street" myth is actually helpful is just about 50% and quite possibly less. Take for example to oft repeated 8-glasses-a-day-of-water thing. For many people, such as anyone over 50, this will raise their blood pressure often to dangerous levels. Try it on yourself and see. Studies say the vitamins often increase mortality rather than increase it. Take Calcium ot not take Calcium, eat garlic ot it does nothing; all goes to show that nearly anything that is pushed by the lay public and repeated in media turns out to be worth nothing. Believers make up benefits on the spot, they don't need studies. they are actually smarter than "eggheads". Best is to ignore all these marvelous benefits, eat simple, traditional food and only take medicine/vitamins/water/calcium/garlic etc. etc. when you are sick. Normal person needs nothing. We live in the fattest, most well-nourished country in the world. I think our bodies know this. Ms. Snyderman has done well to speak out against these myths. Her story holds together, if occasionally mildly contradictory.

Highly Informative

Medical Myths that Can Kill You: And the 101 Truths that Will Save, Extend, and Improve Your Life, by Dr. Nancy Snyderman, is a highly informative and helpful book. And many of the myths she uncovers as false made me quite happy! The book is divided into seven chapters that are the myths: * Annual checkups are obsolete * Vaccinations are just for kids * Doctors don't play favorites * Only old people get heart disease and strokes * We're losing the war on cancer * Natural means safe * You can snap out of mental illness The following will give you a good feel for what the entire book is like: * There is a chart for men and women advising how frequently and at what age they should take medical tests and screenings. * You do not need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Coffee does count as a drink, debunking the myth that as a diuretic it doesn't count. * You can't catch a cold from being in cold weather. (I KNEW it!) * Cracking your knuckles does not cause arthritis. * Your heart does not stop beating when you sneeze. * It's better to be fit than thin. * Fat-free foods can wreck your diet. * Headaches are rarely a sign of a brain tumor. * 1-3 cups of coffee a day helps retain memory. (A personal favorite!) * Chart of common herb-drug interactions * Boring jobs can kill you * Happiness is a state of health. I did not agree with the statement that antiperspirants do not cause breast cancer, however. Snyderman claims that research done by the National Cancer Institute and the US Food and Drug Administration have no evidence that they cause cancer.The lack of evidence from these groups does not convince me that antiperspirants are safe. This is not the space to debate the safeness or lack thereof of antiperspirants, but there is ample research that suggests using a natural deodorant is a far safer and prudent choice. Overall, a very good book. By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.

Very informative and interesting :-)

I really enjoy watching Dr Snyderman on the Today show most mornings. When she's on, she's very clued in and knowledgable. She has a great presence and I imagine a very good bedside manner. In here she breaks down many myths that are out there and sets things straight. She says that in the computer age, many people have become "cyberchondriacs" and that we then diagnose ourselves with false information and only half-truths. She talks to the reader in a very personal and friendly way and makes you feel like you are in her office getting the best advice possible. This book runs right through so many various medical topics and that's what makes it so interesting. She talks about vaccines and how Dr's 'play favourites' and about how much water we REALLY need, and apsrin for heart attacks etc. Because we are all human (obviously), there isn't one person this book wouldn't pertain to. It's fantastic, interesting and very helpful in dispelling old wives tales and helping you work out what's factual. I love it.